## **St. Luke’s Church, Watford**
_**(Charity Reg. no. 1130376)**_
# **Annual Report and Financial Statements 2025**
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## CONTENTS
Vicar’s Introduction PCC report Overview of Activities and Achievements Financial statements Statement of financial activities 16 Balance sheet Notes to the financial statements Statement of PCC responsibilities 27 Independent examiner’s report 28 Administrative information 29
## **Vicar’s Introduction**
_“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12 vs 1-3_
2025 was a busy year, thankfully with the staff team being strengthened with the coming of Bekki Hadley our Children & Family Worker in May, and the appointment of John Williamson as our Publicity Officer in September. Then we had two more` new` members on the staff team in Simon Trundle, licensed as a Reader in September and Neil Brookes while continuing as our Youth Director, was accepted for Ordination, so became an Ordinand, placed with us. The staff team being strengthened came at an important time as a few staff faced health issues either for themselves or in their families. We also had Clinton Don-Jumbo as Ordinand with us from summer 2024, through some of 2025 until his ordination as Deacon in June, now serving as a Curate in the diocese. My thanks to all the staff team on their hard work through a difficult year and for their Godly perseverance.
Major highlights of the year were:
- The six weeks sermon series on Daniel Chapters 1 to 6 which was dramatized in January and February at the 10.30am services. The evening services took on the trickier chapters 7 to 12.
- Starting in early June we began an extended sermon series on the book of Acts, continuing into February 2026. There were dramas in three summer/autumn Morning Services, finishing with 6 more plays planned for the New Year.
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_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
- Bekki joined us in May strengthening our children and family work. This led to a very successful Summer Holiday Club and a gradual growth in children’s work. Holiday Club Shorts have continued through the year and have had good support. There has been a significant increase in volunteer workers supporting Bekki with these events.
- In February, the staff enjoyed an excellent New Wine Leaders Conference which followed on from an inspiring Baptism and Confirmation service led by Bishop Jane. We saw many green shoots such as very good congregations from May onwards.
- A number of church Weddings and the Holiday Club – ‘Deep Sea Divers’ filled the summer, then a very busy Autumn and a very positive Christmas completed the year.
Despite struggles, God has continued to bless us in the following ways:
1. Another predicted financial deficit for the year did not materialise and we broke even despite extra costs on building maintenance etc.
2. New people continued to join us, many of whom got involved in Life Groups
3. As well as Daniel, we had teaching on the short letters of the New Testament, Prophetic Words from Isaiah (Lent), the Hard Sayings of Jesus (Lent), Prophetic Symbols from the Bible (Late Autumn), and Meals with Jesus from St. Luke`s Gospel (Early Autumn).
4. Guest speakers included Dan Gower from Open Doors, Bishop Jane (Bishop of Hertford) for our Confirmation (both February 2026). Veronica and Julie (Taiwan Missionaries), Helen Neville, Curate of Abbots Langley, and in October, the Venerable Charles Hudson, Archdeacon at St Albans. We also give thanks for weekends led by Rev Briony Wood on the Sound of Musings (Music) and Rev Keith Powell on the Prophetic (November)
5. Prayer half days started to be held every month on a Saturday with 12 people attending over the 3 hours.
6. Christmas Christingle Service was a particular highlight this year.
7. Our schools work continues to be busy as we welcomed Year 3 of Cassiobury Juniors at Easter and Year 4 at Advent.
8. Many of our outreach groups continue to thrive with a very successful Alpha and growth at Toddlers, Breakfast Clubs and Creative Space.
9. Prayer Visiting: Thanks to those who go out Monthly for 8 months of the year prayer visiting in the Cassiobury Estate. A very positive ministry often well received.
10. Archdeacon Charles visited and spoke to our PCC in mid-October, visiting groups, school assemblies and preaching to the congregation.
11. Church Family Meals were held on a two a term basis and Birthday Celebrations with cake was shared after the morning services. This has been a real opportunity to get to know one another and develop our Church Community. Thanks to helpers and cooks.
12. For the preaching and leading done by our Readers and Lay Leaders of Worship many thanks to: Dave Clarke, Pam Norman, Simon Trundle, Wendy Somerville, Bill Miller and Richard Waddington. Many thanks for your excellent and faithful preaching.
13. Thanks to Dorothy for her excellent administrative work.
14. We were very sad when Wendy and her husband Kevin returned to New Zealand and miss their ministries.
15. Many thanks to Yvonne for overseeing the parish magazine full of interesting articles and church news, and for those who have contributed.
16. To every one of you who contributes in some way to enhancing the life of St. Luke’s, thank you so much for your service.
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_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
**Our Mission Action Plan** for next year (2026) will keep the same priorities as this year with a small addition. These are:
**Priority 1** To create a strong sense of family amongst our church body, keeping God at the centre of it all and encouraging one another to take an active part in Church family life.
**Priority 2** To provide good bridges through our friendships with those we meet in the wider community **and to provide more stepping stones into God’s Kingdom.**
The Church eating and praying together will continue while we hope to do some teaching on Evangelism in Autumn 2026. We will continue to provide stepping stones for people to enter God`s Kingdom in 2026,
May God continue to bless our work at St. Luke’s,
Yours in Christ,
Michael
_Revd Michael Norman Vicar of St. Luke’s, Watford_
## **PCC Report**
**Aim and Purposes** The Parochial Church Council (“PCC”) has the responsibility of cooperating with the vicar, the Reverend Michael Norman, to promote the whole mission of the Church - pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical - within the parish of St Luke’s Watford.
The PCC is specifically responsible for the maintenance of the church complex of St Luke’s, Langley Way, Watford and for the house at 23 Orchard Close, Watford.
**Objectives** The PCC is committed to encouraging as many people as possible to worship Jesus Christ and to be part of our parish community. Our activities take into account the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit including guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We want to help ordinary people to live out their faith in Jesus every day, encouraging and supporting one another, and being led by the Holy Spirit and fed by God’s written word.
Our Mission Action Plan 2026 was reviewed. We continued our priority areas but set some new specific goals for 2026 (See Vicar’s report)
**PCC Meetings -** The PCC met six times in 2025 supported by the Standing Committee who met four times.
At every PCC meeting the following items were on the agenda and reports were presented and if needed acted upon: Finance and Safeguarding, confirming Minutes of the last meeting and Matters Arising
Over the year of PCC meetings, the following items were presented, discussed and where appropriate proposals and decisions were made: Many of these items recurred over several PCC meetings.
- **Mission Action Plan**
- **20th Anniversary:** Celebration and Building Improvements Planning Groups for 2026
- **Annual Report**
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_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
- **Building Hire**
- **Staff** : Job descriptions/adverts/appointments for the posts of: Children and Family Worker, Administrator/Publicity Officer and Assistant Youth Director
- **Single Friendly Church**
- **Living in love and faith (LLF)**
- **GDPR**
- **Church IT system**
- **Fabric items:** including tree pruning, a new floor in the hall, inspections, Energy Audit, photocopier replacement.
_Pam Norman PCC Secretary_
## **Overview of Activities and Achievements**
## **Developing and deepening our culture of prayer and worship**
- **Prayer** is at the heart of everything we do. All PCC meetings are interwoven with prayer, team leaders meet for prayer before and or after their groups, and our half day of prayers have been well attended. We aim to increase their regularity in 2026. Prayer and a time of listening to what God might be saying takes place before services.
- A **Prayer Ministry Team** continues to be built up, praying, and listening to God together before the services, with particular emphasis on the more informal 5.30pm service.
- **Life Groups** There are two women’s groups, one for men and several mixed, meeting in the morning or evening, mostly weekly, with one meeting on Zoom for those for whom getting out is difficult.
- **Music** – Jeremy Cooke leads a dedicated group of volunteer musicians and singers who make a valuable contribution to the worship ministry. It was lovely to see the young people lead the music on Takeover Sunday before Christmas.
## **Reaching out to our parish, to one another, to our world**
**Prayer Visiting:** Michael introduced prayer visiting at St Luke's in 2022, as part of our first Wycliffe Hall mission. We try to visit homes in the parish to meet, listen and chat with the people who live here. We offer to pray for anything that may be on their minds (anonymously, of course). We visit, in pairs, on the third Wednesday afternoon of each month (during Spring, Summer and Autumn) and then again, the following Saturday morning to try to meet some of those who were out on the Wednesday. The congregation at the Tuesday 10.00am service is a vital part of the team. They always pray through requests we received the previous week. Without them, prayer visiting couldn't happen.
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_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
We write in advance to the homes we plan to visit, explaining who we are, what we're doing and making it really clear that we are not upset when people prefer just to say 'No, thank you'. But people are generally welcoming and appreciative. We all probably feel nervous on Wednesday afternoons as we pray together before going out - but afterwards we usually find we have enjoyed it - and feel privileged to have shared the concerns and hopes of other people. Do you sometimes feel daunted at the prospect of talking about faith? Perhaps this could be an easier way to start? Our numbers have dwindled a bit, so we would really appreciate new people - particularly for Saturday visiting.
Across 2025 we tried to visit 300 addresses. We got no reply at 78 of them, (despite trying 2 or 3 times), but in 117 homes had really friendly conversations, including 94 prayer requests. Early in the year we reached the point where every home in the parish had been visited at least once. As we started re-visiting roads, we have been trying to become more intentional about when and how we follow up. We have gone back to some conversations within just a few weeks. We are noting homes where a personal invitation to a specific event might be more appropriate than just a door drop. We need to find ways to persevere more with those people who are often out. Please pray that we will allow God to make this work fruitful.
**Creative Space** has had another busy but thoroughly enjoyable year, by church and non-church people alike.
**Music at St Luke’s** We are always so grateful to God for our excellent team of musicians and singers at St Luke’s Church, and for the life and joy Music brings to our Church family and
community. We are definitely an ‘all age team’, old and young, and even younger, leading our sung worship whether on drums or guitar, instruments and flags at the front, singers, string and wind players. We have an amazing brass team to give us that extra lift with the organ for the big Christian festivals. As ever, we are so grateful to those who lead from the piano, organ or guitar, and who share the load in this pivotal ministry.
We are always on the lookout for new young players and singers, especially any with a passion to learn the guitar, bass guitar and brass players.
Thank you to those in the office who file the sheet music and who put together the ‘Easy Worship’ schedules, so that words to our songs and hymns can be projected on the screens for the congregation. Many thanks also to our unseen and unsung heroes in the balcony on the AV team. Much of what we do would simply not be possible without them.
We have had the privilege of listening to some fabulous classical music at our monthly Sunday afternoon recitals. An opportunity for musicians to perform in our beautiful space in the Church itself. Again, do come along. Many local Choirs and Orchestras also use the Church to put on concerts of a high standard. Notably the Watford Symphony Orchestra and the Watford Philharmonic. These are ticketed events, often featuring young, up and coming artists as they build their careers.
Our Community Choir CanCC, ‘Cassiobury and nearby Community Choir’, has been a wonderful singing community, performing at concerts and in our local pub The Essex Arms as well as after our dramatized Bible readings in Church. Our next concert will have a weather-related theme to it. Do come along, or even better, join the choir!
Finally, thank You to our gracious Heavenly Father, for His gift of Music and for the joy of singing His praises.
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_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
_Jeremy Cooke_
The **Cassiobury and nearby Community Choir (CanCC)** continues to meet on Wednesday evenings weekly, and on occasion sing at ‘The Essex Arms’.
Other reaching out initiatives continue weekly with
- **Community Coffee** after the Tuesday 10.00am service, and monthly with **Friday Club** afternoon tea and entertainment for the older people living nearby.
- **Badminton Club** is a friendly church and community group, meeting on Friday evenings to play badminton and table-tennis in a fun competitive way for all.
**The Pastoral Group** - we are blessed to have a vicar with strong pastoral care gifts. The pastoral care group meets every other month to discuss pastoral needs in the church and to pray for people and to see how we can best support and care for needs.
At Christmas Easter and Harvest we give out cards and gifts to the bereaved and sick. Michael takes regular communion to the housebound. We are aware of our limited resources. We would like to see the church where we love and care for each other following Jesus’s love and compassion.
**Publicity:** Our church is fortunate to have various ways to communicate with our members and friends, with the Cassiobury estate, throughout Watford, along with the wider area and with anyone worldwide, through our website and social media.
In September 2026, I took on the job of Publicity Officer, which fits well with my work as a graphic designer, website designer and photographer. Since starting the role, I’ve been working on updating the church website, working with staff and volunteers to update their pages and sections on the website. This continues to be a work in progress.
There’s a lot of publicity needed for events such as Harvest, Alpha Course, Tear Fund Big Quiz, Christmas and the 20th anniversary celebrations.
I’m really pleased to be doing this work. I believe that God has blessed me with creativity and communication talent and it’s really good to be able to use it for St Luke’s Watford and God’s kingdom. Publicity for St Lukes is important, but I realise that the best way to let people know about Jesus and the Christian story, is by word of mouth. I am happy to hear from anyone with publicity questions, requests and comments on media@stlukeswatford.org or 0777 999 1551.
Along with the magazine, posters, flyers, banners, church magazine and other items, here are the online publicity outlets:
Public Facebook page: www.facebook.com/stlukeschurchwatford Friends Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/stlukeswatfordfriends Instagram page: www.instagram.com/stlukeswatford Website: www.stlukeswatford.org YouTube: www.youtube.com/stlukeswatford St Lukes page on A Church Near You:
www.achurchnearyou.com/church/19467
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_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
_John Williamson_
**Partners in Mission** Highlights of the year:
- In 2025 the Partners in Mission sub-committee distributed over £37,000 of the PCC’s discretionary giving to our mission partners at home and abroad.
- In February we were visited by Open Doors updating us on the persecuted church around the world, and their work to raise awareness of the situation.
- In May we were visited by our mission partner Veronica who updated us on her work encouraging churches in Taiwan.
- Partners in Mission tries to maintain regular contact with all our partner organisations and mission partners, home and abroad; and especially tries to meet regularly with locally-based partners for prayer and support.
## **Children**
**Holiday club:** During the summer holidays, we ran our 4-day holiday club. The theme this year was deep-sea divers, which investigated the life of Jesus. 80 children attended each day, where they enjoyed engaging in worship, fun Bible teaching, games and crafts. To maintain connections with the children and families who attended the holiday club, we also provided a shorter version of the holiday club during some school holidays (holiday club shorts, where we have a 2-hour event on an evening). This has worked well and has been popular within the community. These include: Light Party, Christmas Party, Pancake Party, and Easter Party. It has been great to keep providing holiday club events to maintain connections with the children and families and to continue helping the children learn more about God.
**Toddlers:** Our Toddlers group meets every Thursday during the school term and is for parents/carers and their babies and toddlers to play each week. We have a story corner, which is a craft activity
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connected to a Bible story. This year we have been doing a book called Bible Bus which provides us with ideas of appropriate activities to do with the children. At the end, while we tidy up the toys, we encourage the families to sit in a circle for some bubble fun and singing time. This is also an opportunity to give notices about what is happening at church and invite them to attend. This year, we have encouraged the children and parents/ carers to come into the church for singing on the last day of each term. This hopefully helps them to feel more comfortable being in church.
**Kids club:** We continue to run Kids Club on Tuesday evenings during term time for children aged 7- 11 years old. 7 children attend regularly: some who attend church and others who do not. During Kids Club, we have fun games, Bible teaching and a tuck shop. During the Bible teaching, we have been exploring the life of Jesus.
**Breakfast club:** We provide a Breakfast Club every other Saturday 8:30 am - 10 am. It provides a space for children under 11 and their families to have breakfast, play with toys and do fun activities. This year, we are having more Christian input and have started to do a worship song with actions near the end of the morning. We are now growing this by adding a short Bible talk aimed at the children.
**Sundays:** Each Sunday during the morning service we teach children in age-appropriate groups and enable them to grow in their relationship with God. Climbers is for children aged 2-6 and Explorers is for children age 7-11. We also have a parent-supervised creche at the back of church for children too young for the groups. This allows children to play while their parents/ careers continue to engage in the church service.
**Schools Work:** we continue to be involved in local schools. We take Assemblies within Cassiobury and Nascot Wood Infants' Schools. We have also provided school visits for them, where they come with their year group. They go into small groups to different stations around the church to learn various parts of a topic: Christian festivals and about the Church. We have recently created a new link with Lanchester School who visited to learn about Easter.
_Bekki Hadley Children and Family Worker_
## **The Deanery Synod**
Our first meeting of 2025 was on 19[th] February, at All Saints Leavesden, when Tom Abrahams, the Diocesan Net Zero Adviser, gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the subject Carbon Net Zero. This is a challenge to all parishes to reduce our carbon emissions as well as reducing our overheads, by planning for climate change.
St Luke’s hosted the meeting on 25[th] May, when Tom Snell presented a report from the Diocesan Board of Finance. There was an overview of the 2024 financial picture, details of the national review taking place and how the Diocese is planning for the future. The Rural Dean, Revd Peter Waddell gave a review of the parish share for 2025. A question and answer session followed.
When we met on 12[th] October, at St Peter’s Bushey Heath, we were led by Revd Mark Rodel, Deputy Director of Mission and Ministry for our Diocese. Starting from Ephesians 4: 1-16, he facilitated a listening exercise, “Phase 1: Listening together, Shaping Ministry in our Diocese”. Silent contemplation and brainstorming were asked for, with the aim of finding a common statement which we could all affirm.
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In addition to specific themes at each meeting, we are kept up to date with clergy movement in the Deanery and invited to their inductions. Revd Dave Scourfield moved from All Saints Leavesden to be part-time Priest-in-Charge at St Paul’s Langleybury. Revd Canon Richard Banham was inducted as Vicar of St Mary’s in July. There are also updates about the proposed funding of our Deanery for promoting work amongst children and young people.
Our term of office ends in July 2026.
_Mary Bowen, Dave Clarke, Mave Clarke, Phil Matthews_
## **Annual Fabric Report 2025**
## **To the Glory of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit this stone was laid on Sunday 16[th] October 2005**
**“** _My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people”_
## _Isaiah 56_ : 7
2025 began the job of reviewing, updating and planning for next year’s refurbishments and building improvements to celebrate 20 years of this building being used as ‘a house of prayer for all people’. As reported in previous years, the building needed updating and refreshing, so an appeal was launched at Christmas to raise funds for this purpose. A big thanksgiving celebration is planned in May 2026 to praise God for His glorious provision to us in this church.
As always, we have relied heavily on volunteers to identify and oversee maintenance and improvements, so a big thank you to those faithful servants. Their hard work has made a big difference to the operation of the church buildings during 2025.
- An energy audit was conducted by the diocese in April and suggestions made. We have been running with LED lamps in the church (globes and wall lights) and hall (ceiling battens and wall lights) since September. The Church is showing a reduced consumption in this short time, and the hall is, as expected, showing a considerable reduction (c60%) in consumption.
- The wooden flooring in the hall was sanded and restored with badminton lines painted on underneath varnish. The hall looks better and is safer as a result.
- EICRs (Electrical installation condition report) have been carried out and remedies completed for both the church and 23 Orchard Close.
- Bushes in the grounds were cut back by a volunteer, but it is suggested we use a contractor in the future to keep it under control. A tree surgeon made safe taller trees in the car park area.
- The lift, fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting and gas boilers have been regularly serviced, and the urinals have been maintained by contractors
- 23 Orchard Close had several repairs which needed to be undertaken.
Additions to articles appertaining to the fabric of the church:
- Youth lounge chairs, settees, orange bucket chairs and the Dyson hand dryer in the Ladies toilet were disposed of.
- Church carpet received a free annual clean due to the cleaning contractor’s oversight in missing 2 cleans of the carpet in the gathering area.
- New master lock put on Pre-school storage cupboard in hall.
- Engraving of Michael Norman’s name on the Vicar’s board.
- Removal and installation of a new leased photocopier with Konica Minolta.
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_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
Maintenance work carried out during the year:
- Hall wall socket made safe.
- Hall overhead cabling tidied.
- Bin store gates made safe temporarily.
- Overhanging bushes cut back and trees in the car park made safe.
- Master lock to gathering area toy cupboard replaced.
## **Health and Safety report for APCM April 2025**
The annual Health and Safety inspection was carried out in September 2025 and a report prepared for the PCC. It included recommendations for the repair and refurbishment of the church premises and many of these have been included in the current refurbishment programme to commemorate the 20[th] anniversary of the new church building.
Risk assessments are carried out on a regular basis to ensure that activities are safe and properly managed.
Many people give their time and energy to ensure our church is properly looked after and maintained and our grateful thanks goes to all who care for our church in this way – you know who you are!
_Marion Harvey Health and Safety Officer_
## **Risk Management**
The PCC considers that the principal risks faced by St Luke’s have been:
- Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
- Managing the health, safety and well-being of staff and congregation
- Financial risk
- Use of personal data (GDPR)
## **Safeguarding 2025**
The PCC is committed to doing all we can to ensure that any vulnerable person coming to St Luke's is kept safe and protected.
The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the church.
The Parish Safeguarding Officer and Lead Recruiter ensure that effective and correct documentation and procedures are in place and followed. During 2025, they have worked to ensure that new volunteers and staff team members are safely recruited. There is ongoing work to ensure that each person has a period of induction and that measures are in place for their encouragement and support.
They also arrange and monitor DBS and training for individuals with any sort of involvement and ensure that accurate records are maintained on the Parish Dashboard. 6 new DBS certificates have been issued and 27 DBS certificates have been checked using the DBS Update Service.
The Parish Dashboard has a secure Safeguarding Hub with a Role Creator and a People Manager. 96 members of our congregation are now listed on the People Manager, performing a variety of 46 roles within the church. The digital Role Descriptions for each voluntary role have been updated
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for the current year with a preface which states the 2025 Mission Action Plan goals and includes an invitation to prayer. All these details are uploaded on to the Parishes Safeguarding Dashboard although no personal information is recorded.
The PCC reviews all safeguarding documentation annually and regularly receives reports on safeguarding activity. The PCC is in the process of discussing the National Safeguarding Standards for the Church of England.
The PCC considers it has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to the House of Bishop’s guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).
## **Financial**
The church Treasurer has established a robust system of financial controls, based on budgets, proper authorisation of all payments and segregation of duties. The PCC sets the annual budget and scrutinises monthly management accounts, which analyse variances to budget and prior year. At every meeting the treasurer delivers a report.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England. It operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The PCC is a Registered Charity (No 1130376).
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St Luke’s the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent (our vicar), churchwardens, one of the readers and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral role of the church. All those who attend our services are encouraged to register on the electoral roll and stand for election to the PCC.
The PCC is responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent.
The full PCC met 6 times during the year. Given the breadth of its responsibilities, the PCC has subcommittees and working parties dealing with specific aspects of parish life:
## **Sub-committees**
- Standing Committee
- Building and Energy Group
- Finance
- Partners in Mission
## **Working parties**
- Life group/Alpha coordination
- People and Pastoral Care
- Prayer Ministry
- Children and Youth
The PCC appoints individuals to be Prayer Coordinator, Health & Safety Officer, Parish Safeguarding Officer, Lead Recruiter/DBS Administrator and GDPR Officer.
All these committees and officers are responsible to the PCC and report back to it regularly. Minutes of relevant meetings are received by the full PCC and discussed as necessary.
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There are two other working groups at St Luke’s which report directly to the vicar:
- Leading and Preaching Team
- Mission Advisory Group
## **Volunteers and Staff**
A thank you to **all** volunteers, regular ones, ad-hoc ones, one-off volunteers, Sunday and weekday volunteers! The PCC is hugely appreciative of the many, many individuals who work so hard to make our church the lively and vibrant community that it is:
- Our staff team
- Those who’ve finished serving this year on PCC
- Our deputy wardens, stewards, the welcome team, and those who do the coffee and refreshments at services and other events
- Those who preach, lead prayers or read Scripture at services
- The musicians who play, sing, compose or record songs to help our worship
- The technology and AV team who work to help us see, hear and follow the services - whether we are in the building, or watching on-line, or receiving a pre-recorded DVD
- Those who prepare, teach and help with our toddler, children and youth groups on Sundays or during the week.
- The pastoral network team and the prayer ministry team as they continue to phone, visit and pray.
- Those who lead and support life groups, Alpha, Creative Space, Cameo and the various social and outreach activities.
- Those who provide meals for Alpha meetings and those who wash up afterwards
- The Building and Energy group and all who volunteer to do maintenance and cleaning work in the building or garden
- Those who prepare the church for services – flowers, communion laundry, cleaning silver
- Those who come back late every evening to make sure the church is locked up and lights switched off
- Those who ensure that the giving we receive is counted and banked, and that bills are paid on time and properly accounted for
- Those who give, often sacrificially, both through regular giving and in response to specific appeals
- Those responsible for making sure that we are legal and that everyone is kept safe in all we do
- Those who do prayer visiting to people living in our parish
- People who write to our Partners-in-Mission, who keep us informed and prompt us to pray for them
- Those who write content, edit, print and distribute our magazine
- Those who organise and prepare door drop material and gifts; and those who deliver them
- Those who design and produce our communications including website content and posters
- Those who cover everything which happens at St Luke’s in prayer – at prayer meetings and privately
- Those who notice and take the time to thank and encourage people who serve and worship at St Luke’s
Whenever we prepare a list such as this, we are astonished at just how much is being done, and by so many. We thank each one of you – and give thanks to God for you.
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_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW AND RESERVES POLICY**
Our financial statements reveal that the overall funds come to £949,7k with an increase of £1.7k over 2024. There was a small increase in unrestricted funds in 2025 of £0.2k with an outstanding £1.4k to be paid as last year’s carryover in the Partners in Mission [PIM] giving fund.
Significant items to compare between 2025 vs 2024 results are as follows:
INCOME
- Unrestricted income increased £3.3k from £338.1k to £341.4k (1%) This followed an appeal in December 2025.
- Unrestricted giving was up £4.8k from £227.5k to £232.3k (4.8%).
- Room lettings increased by £2.1k from £68.4k to £70.5k (3.1%).
## EXPENDITURE
- Unrestricted expenditure increased by £23.7k from £318.1k to £341.8k (7.4%)
We received £3.6k grant from the Diocese for carrying on energy saving measures (installing LED lighting in the church and main hall). Some savings in electricity use are already apparent.
## **General reserve**
This fund handles all the church’s regular income and operating costs.
The church continues to support the Diocese paying their full parish quota which was £115.3k.
## **Designated Fund**
Each year the PCC reviews the value of its unrestricted reserves. In line with last year, an operating general reserve of over £40k is retained. This represents the amount the PCC thinks is necessary to operate in the normal course of events. This allows for income that is sometimes sporadic, whilst major costs are monthly namely for staff, parish quota and utilities and also gives due consideration to the reserves held. Funds which are tied up in fixed assets are held in the Capital Reserve. The PCC decides when and how it anticipates that any additional unrestricted funds will be used and move them to and in the Designated Fund. At year-end the PCC designated funds for future use was £140.9k as follows:
- £1.4k is designated for PIM as carry over. PCC seeks to give away 10% of the unspecified income received. The full entitlement was not reflected in 2025 giving and is carried over to 2026.
- £40.0k to fund key maintenance over and above routine yearly work. Depending on the success of the 20[th] Anniversary appeal, some of the associated costs may be apportioned by the PCC to this fund.
- £54.5k is designated to cover the expenses of curate or staff expenses. A curate started in July 2024 but moved on in October 2024 and replacement staffing or similar is be considered for 2026 or 2027. With the Youth Worker also being an ordinand, we may need to appoint a deputy youth worker and touch some of this fund in the coming year.
- £45k has been designated to pay for starter payment for solar panels or other initiatives which may be recommended by the Energy Review Committee. Some work is in hand for 2026 and additional works due in the next few years.
## **Earmarked Fund**
This fund is used to hold and distribute amounts given for specific purposes. £7.3k was received and £5.3k paid out during the year. This included giving £1.2k to TEARFUND and £2.4k towards for Christmas hampers.
Page 14 of 29
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## **Partnership and 20[th] Anniversary Appeal Funds**
Whilst no Partnership Fund is appeal in hand for this year, a 20[th] Anniversary Appeal celebrating twenty years of the new church building was started in December. This is to coincide with 20[th] anniversary celebrations in May’26. The fund has been setup for a refresh and upgrade of the church building primarily in the entry points and gathering area. The fund reached £3.475k by the end of December.
## **Balance Sheet**
Total assets have increased from £948k to £950k.
Approved by the PCC on 29th April 2026 and signed, on its behalf by Michael Norman (Chair of PCC)
…………………………………………………….
Page 15 of 29
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
## **for the year ended 31 December 2025**
|**Notes**
**Income from:**
_Donations and legacies_
3(a)
_Charitable activities_
3(b)
_Other trading activities_
3(c)
_Investments_
3(d)
_Other income_
3(e)
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
**_Charitable activities_**
_Grants_
4(a)
_Other charitable activities_
4(b)
**Total expenditure**
**Net income before gains/(losses) on**
**investments**
Net gains/(losses) on investments
Revaluation of 23 Orchard Close
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Net movement in funds**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Total funds**
**2025**
**2024***
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
232,264
7132
**239,396**
257,812
83,296
143
**83,439**
85.734
18,926
0
**18,926**
17,306
6,662
0
**6,662**
7,894
210
0
**210**
415|
|---|---|
||**341,358**
**7,275**
**348,633**
369,161|
||37,302
5,310
**42,612**
58,374
304,454
471
**304,925**
288,303|
||**341,756**
**5,781**
**347,537**
346,677|
||**(398)**
**1,494**
**1,096**
22,484
585
0
**585**
700
0
0
**0**
50,000|
||**187**
**1,494**
**1,681**
73,184|
|||
||**187**
**1,494**
**1,681**
73,184|
||932,782
15,255
948,037
874,853
**932,969**
**16,749**
**949,718**
948,037|
*Comparative figures for Funds for 2024 are set out in Note 2
Page 16 of 29
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD BALANCE SHEET**
## **at 31 December 2025**
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible
6(a)
Investments
6(b)
**Current assets**
Debtors
7
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
**Current liabilities**
(Amounts falling due within one year)
8
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds**
Unrestricted
10
Restricted
11|**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**750,000**
750,000
**24,476**
23,891|
|---|---|
||**774,476**
773,891|
||**15,547**
11,228
**135,648**
160,164
**31,997**
10,529|
||**183,192**
181,921|
||**(7,950)**
(7,775)|
||**175,242**
174,146|
|||
||**949,718**
948,037|
||**932,969**
932,782
**16,749**
15,255|
||**949,718**
948,037|
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 24[th] March 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Michael Norman Martin Kirk Chair, St Luke’s Parochial Church Council Treasurer
The notes on pages 18 to 27 form part of these financial statements
Page 17 of 29
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2025**
## **1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of land and buildings and investments. The PCC is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
## **Critical accounting estimates and judgements**
In the application of the PCC’s accounting policies, the members of the PCC are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
## **Going concern**
The members of the PCC assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the PCC to continue as a going concern. The members of the PCC make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation for issue of the financial statements and have concluded that the PCC has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the PCC continues to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.
## **Funds**
Unrestricted funds represent funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for use for the general purposes of the PCC. The General Reserve holds the liquid funds which the PCC believes are necessary to run the church in the normal course of events; the Capital Reserve represents those unrestricted funds which are tied up in the form of fixed assets; and the Designated Fund contains unrestricted liquid funds which have been designated for specific purposes by the PCC.
Earmarked Fund handles funds which have been donated for a specific purpose. These funds are restricted.
Partnership Fund (previously Thanksgiving Fund) handles funds donated by way of major appeal, to enable the Church to make specific grants to other churches and Christian organisations. This fund is also restricted.
The 20[th] Anniversary Appeal Fund handles donations for the update and upgrade of the church building marking the 20[th] Anniversary of the opening of the “new” church building in 2006. This fund is also restricted.
The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members.
## **Income**
_Voluntary income and activities for generating funds:_ Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC. Income tax recoverable on gift aid donations is recognised when the donations are recognised.
Grants and legacies to the PCC are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement and the amount due.
Funds raised at social and similar events are accounted for gross. Sales of books and magazines are accounted for gross.
## _Activities related to church work_
Rental income from the letting of church premises is recognised when the rental is due.
## _Investment income_
Interest and dividends are accounted for when receivable.
Page 18 of 29
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## **Expenditure**
## _Grants_
Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC. The PCC has decided to make total grants in the year equal to 10% of the non-specific income to the General Fund. Grants are made to support living and other costs of other charities or individuals who have or have had a personal, established connection to St Luke’s church. The grants are made in support of the primary objects of the PCC.
## _Activities relating to church work_
The diocesan parish share is accounted for when payable.
## **Fixed assets**
## _Consecrated land and buildings and movable church furnishings_
Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by s.10 of the Charities Act 2011. All of St Luke’s premises, with the exception of the Large Hall (formerly the church), the Chapel and 23 Orchard Close, are consecrated.
No value is placed on movable church furnishings held by the churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal since the PCC considers this to be inalienable property.
All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings and movable church furnishings, whether maintenance or improvement, is written off as expenditure in the SOFA and separately disclosed.
## _Other fixtures, fittings, furniture and office equipment_
Fixtures and fittings are depreciated on a straight line basis over 5 years and furniture and equipment over 4 years. Individual items costing less than £1,000 are not capitalised but are fully written off in the year of acquisition.
## **Current assets**
Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectable **.**
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks. Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Church of England Funds or at the bank.
## **Financial instruments**
The PCC has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the PCC's balance sheet when the PCC becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
## **Basic financial assets**
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
## **Creditors and provisions**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the PCC has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
## **Basic financial liabilities**
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Page 19 of 29
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## **Derecognition of financial liabilities**
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the PCC’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
## **Risk Management**
Financial risk is managed through budgets and regular reporting of the management accounts to the PCC.
|**2**
**COMPARATIVE NUMBERS FOR 2024**
**Income from:**
_Donations and legacies_
_Charitable activities_
_Other trading activities_
_Investments_
_Other income_
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
**Charitable activities**
_Grants_
_Other charitable activities_
**Total expenditure**
**Net (expenditure) before gains/(loss) on**
**investments**
Net (losses) on investments
Revaluation of 23 Orchard Close
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Net movement in funds**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total funds**
**£**
**£**
**£**
227,473
30,339
257,812
85,052
682
85,734
17,306
0
17,306
7,894
0
7,894
415
0
415|
|---|---|
||338,140
31,021
369,161|
||29,772
28,602
58,374
288,303
0
288,303|
||318,075
28,602
346,677|
|||
||20,065
2,419
22,484|
||700
0
700
50,000
0
50,000|
||70,765
2,419
73,184|
|||
||70,765
2,419
73,184|
||862,017
12,836
874,853|
||932,782
15,255
948,037|
Page 20 of 29
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2025**
|**3**
**INCOME FROM:**
**3(a)****_Donations and legacies_**
Planned Gift Aided
Unplanned Gift Aided
Income tax recoverable
CAF & Stewardship
Other planned giving
Cash collections & donations
Legacies
Grants
**3(b)****_Charitable activities_**
Room lettings
Church events
Fees
Other related to church work
Books and photocopies
**3(c)**
**_Other trading activities_**
Rent received from Orchard Close
Fund raising
**3(d)**
**_Investments_**
Interest and dividends
**3(e)**
**_Other income_**
**Total income**|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total funds**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2025**
2024
**£**
**£**
**£**
£
**133,598**
**0**
**133,598**
141,442
**24,191**
**2,694**
**26,885**
41,982
**41,016**
**684**
**41,700**
47,959
**6,675**
**1,100**
**7,775**
7,775
**4,350**
**0**
**4,350**
4,318
**8,834**
**1,979**
**10,813**
14,336
**10,000**
**0**
**10,000**
0
**3,600**
**675**
**4,275**
0|
|---|---|
||**232,264**
**7,132**
**239,396**
257,812|
||**70,526**
**0**
**70,526**
68,415
**4,154**
**0**
**4,154**
8,257
**2,412**
**0**
**2,412**
4,165
**6,190**
**143**
**6,333**
4,848
**14**
**0**
**14**
49|
||**83,296**
**143**
**83,439**
85,734|
||**18,926**
**0**
**18,926**
17,306
**0**
**0**
**0**
0|
||**18,926**
**0**
**18,926**
17,306|
||**7,337**
**0**
**7,337**
7,894|
||**7,337**
**0**
**7,337**
7,894|
|||
||**210**
**0**
**210**
415|
||**341,358**
**7,275**
**348,633**
369,161|
Page 21 of 29
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2025**
|**4**|**EXPENDITURE ON:**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|**funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Funds**|**Funds**|**2025**|2024|
|**4(a)**|**_Grants_**|**£**|**£**|**£**|£|
||Overseas work|**17,280**|**2,359**|**19,639**|36,552|
||UK work|**4,030**|**251**|**4,281**|3,075|
||Local work|**15,992**|**2,700**|**18,692**|18,747|
|||**37,302**|**5,310**|**42,612**|58,374|
|**4(b)**|**Other c****_haritable activities_**|||||
||Parish Share|**115,309**|**0**|**115,309**|120,953|
||Utility costs|**22,078**|**0**|**22,078**|25,519|
||Other premises running costs|**56,606**|**0**|**56,606**|34,205|
||Youth and children|**39,613**|**471**|**40,084**|36,741|
||Music director and music costs|**27,354**|**0**|**27,354**|29,200|
||Administration|**30,190**|**0**|**30,190**|26,226|
||Church events|**1,026**|**0**|**1,026**|4,083|
||Printing and stationery|**3,370**|**0**|**3,370**|2,467|
||Adult groups and outreach|**3,875**|**0**|**3,875**|3,463|
||Catering|**2,571**|**0**|**2,571**|1,680|
||Vicar’s expenses|**1,562**|**0**|**1,562**|2,938|
||Books & bible notes|**0**|**0**|**0**|0|
||Governance costs (note 14)|**900**|**0**|**900**|828|
|||**304,454**|**471**|**304,925**|288,303|
|||||||
||**Total expenditure**|**341,756**|**5,781**|**347,537**|346,677|
|**5**|**STAFF COSTS**|||**2025**|2024|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|£|
||Salaries and allowances|**54,142**|**0**|**54,142**|56,051|
||National Insurance|**0**|**0**|**0**|0|
||Pensions|**3,249**|**0**|**3,249**|3,328|
|||**57,391**|**0**|**57,391**|59,379|
_During the year the PCC employed an Administrator, a Youth Director, and a Children & Families leader and a Publicity Officer. None earned more than £60,000 pa. No member of the PCC received remuneration or reimbursement of expenses, except as referred to in Notes 13 and 15. The PCC contributes to a defined contribution pension scheme for the benefit of its employees. Contributions payable are charged to the statement of financial activities in the year that they are payable. The amounts paid during the year are as shown above._
Page 22 of 29
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2025**
|**6**
**FIXED ASSETS FOR USE BY THE PCC**
**6(a)**
**_Tangible_**
**Cost or valuation**
At 1 January
Additions
Disposals
Revaluation adjustment
At 31 December
**Depreciation**
At 1 January
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 December
**Net book value**
At 1 January
At 31 December|**2025**
2024
**Land &**
**Building**
**Furniture**
**Fittings &**
**Equipment**
**Total**
Total
**£**
**£**
**£**
£
**750,000**
**24,946**
**774,946**
724,946
**0**
**0**
**0**
50,000
**0**
**0**
**0**
0
**0**
**0**
**0**
0|
|---|---|
||**750,000**
**24,946**
**774,946**
774,946|
||**0**
**24,946**
**24,946**
24,946
**0**
**0**
**0**
0
**0**
**0**
**0**
0|
||**0**
**24,946**
**24,946**
24,946|
||750,000
0
750,000
700,000|
||**750,000**
**0**
**750,000**
750,000|
_The value of 23 Orchard Close is based on the PCC’s reasonable best estimate having regard to local market conditions as at 31 December 2025._
|**6(b)**
**_Investments_**
Market value at 1 January
Additions at cost
Revaluation
Market value at 31 December|**£**
£
**23,891**
21,887
**0**
0
**585**
1,304
**24,476**
23,891|
|---|---|
_During the year an investment has been held for the Unrestricted Funds in the CBF Church of England Fixed Interest Fund. The holding throughout the year has been 16,021.53 shares and the value per share at 31 December 2025 was 153.15p (149.12p at 31 December 2024)._
|**7**
**DEBTORS**
Income tax recoverable
Accrued income/Trade Debtors
Prepayments & deposits|**2025**
2024
**£**
£
**4,907**
3,889
**6,886**
5,367
**3,754**
1,972
**15,547**
11,228|
|---|---|
Page 23 of 29
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2025**
|**8**
**AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Creditors for goods and services
Accrued expenses
Room hire deposits held
Other creditors
**9**
**ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**
Fixed assets
**774,476**
**0**
Current assets
**166,443**
**16,749**
Current liabilities
**(7,950)**
**0**
Fund balance
**932,969**
**16,749**
**10**
**UNRESTRICTED FUND DETAIL**
General reserve
Capital reserve
Designated fund|**8**
**AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Creditors for goods and services
Accrued expenses
Room hire deposits held
Other creditors
**9**
**ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**
Fixed assets
**774,476**
**0**
Current assets
**166,443**
**16,749**
Current liabilities
**(7,950)**
**0**
Fund balance
**932,969**
**16,749**
**10**
**UNRESTRICTED FUND DETAIL**
General reserve
Capital reserve
Designated fund|**2025**
2024
**£**
£
**3,002**
1,466
**4,239**
5,871
**250**
200
**459**
238|
|---|---|---|
|||**7,950**
7,775|
|||**Total funds**
**2025**
2024
**£**
£
**774,476**
773,891
**183,192**
181,921
**(7,950)**
(7,775)|
||**932,969**
**16,749**|**949,718**
948,037|
|||**2025**
**£**
2024
£
**42,092**
41,970
**750,000**
750,000
**140.877**
140,812|
|||**932,969**
932,782|
_The Designated fund represents unrestricted funds in excess of that required to operate in the normal course of events, and which is not tied up in fixed assets. The PCC need to disclose how it anticipates such funds will be used._
_The current balance of £140,877 comprises:_
- _£1.4k additional discretionary giving in respect of 2025 income, which will be distributed in 2026 (PCC seek to give away 10% of the unspecified income received)_
- _£40k available for maintenance over and above routine yearly maintenance [increased]_
- _£54.5k has been put aside to cover three years of costs for curate or similar being appointed in June 2026 or2027_
- _£45k has been designated for use by the energy review committee for the provision of solar panels or other changes that may be proposed. This might be spent by end 2027 or 2028 [delayed following 2025 budget]_
_NB: For 2025 the designated fund had been split as follows: £54,500 Staff fund, £43,000 energy fund, £38,500 long term maintenance fund and £4,812 Partners In Mission carry-over from 2024._
Page 24 of 29
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)**
**For the year ended 31 December 2025**
|**11**
**RESTRICTED FUND DETAIL**
Earmarked Fund
20thAnniversary Appeal Fund
**12**
**STATEMENT OF FUNDS**
**Fund name**
**Balance b/f**
**Income**
**Expense**
**£**
**£**
**£**
General reserve
**41,970**
**341,358**
**(336,944)**
Capital reserve
**750,000**
**0**
**0**
Designated fund
**140,812**
**0**
**(4,812)**
Earmarked
**15,255**
**3,800**
**(5,781)**
20thAnniversary
Appeal
**0**
**3,475**
**0**
**TOTAL FUNDS**
**948,037**
**348,633**
**(347,537)**
**COMPARATIVE NUMBERS FOR 2024**
Fund name
Balance b/f
Income
Expense
£
£
£
General reserve
40,884
338,140
(316,942)
Capital reserve
700,000
0
0
Designated fund
121,133
0
(1,133)
Earmarked
10,306
13,338
(8,389)
Partnership
2,530
17,683
(20,213)
**TOTAL FUNDS**
874,853
369,161
(346,677)|**11**
**RESTRICTED FUND DETAIL**
Earmarked Fund
20thAnniversary Appeal Fund
**12**
**STATEMENT OF FUNDS**
**Fund name**
**Balance b/f**
**Income**
**Expense**
**£**
**£**
**£**
General reserve
**41,970**
**341,358**
**(336,944)**
Capital reserve
**750,000**
**0**
**0**
Designated fund
**140,812**
**0**
**(4,812)**
Earmarked
**15,255**
**3,800**
**(5,781)**
20thAnniversary
Appeal
**0**
**3,475**
**0**
**TOTAL FUNDS**
**948,037**
**348,633**
**(347,537)**
**COMPARATIVE NUMBERS FOR 2024**
Fund name
Balance b/f
Income
Expense
£
£
£
General reserve
40,884
338,140
(316,942)
Capital reserve
700,000
0
0
Designated fund
121,133
0
(1,133)
Earmarked
10,306
13,338
(8,389)
Partnership
2,530
17,683
(20,213)
**TOTAL FUNDS**
874,853
369,161
(346,677)|**2025**
2024
**£**
£
**13,274**
15,255
**3,475**
0|
|---|---|---|
|||**16,749**
15,255|
|||**Gain/(loss)**
**/transfer**
**Balance c/f**
**£**
**£**
**(4,292)**
**42,092**
**0**
**750,000**
**4,877**
**140,877**
**0**
**13,274**
**0**
**3,475**
**585**
**949,718**|
||**948,037**
**348,633**
**(347,537)**||
|||Gain/(loss)
/transfer
Balance c/f
£
£
(20,112)
41,970
50,000
750,000
20,812
140,812
0
15,255
0
0|
||874,853
369,161
(346,677)|50,700
948,037|
Page 25 of 29
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE’S, WATFORD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2025**
|**13**|**TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION, BENEFITS AND EXPENSES**|**2025**|2024|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**|£|
|`|Expenses paid to Trustees (Vicar’s working expenses)|**4,297**|4,199|
||Expenses paid to Trustees (Warden)|**367**|196|
||Expenses paid to Trustees (Other PCC member)|**653**|258|
||No of Trustees receiving expenses|**4**|3|
|**14**|**GOVERNANCE COSTS**|||
||Fees for Independent Examiner|**900**|828|
## **15 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS**
## **Grants**
_Some members of St Luke’s or their family are involved with other Christian charities and organisations. We encourage such people to serve on PCC and its sub-committees because they help keep our prayer and discussion well-informed and relevant - in particular dealing with spending priorities and the financial grants or gifts we may wish to make._
_No individual can make spending or giving decisions alone - and where an individual is part of a group which makes such decisions, they are not allowed to vote on any proposal involving a party to which they have a close connection. During the year, St Luke's made donations to the following organisations in which a PCC or PIM sub-committee member has a close connection._
|OMF International|**3,850**|2,000|
|---|---|---|
|Watford New Hope Trust|**3,700**|4,500|
|Friends International|**2,400**|2,000|
|Alternatives Watford|**2,100**|1,420|
|Watford Foodbank|**1,300**|190|
Page 26 of 29
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## STATEMENT OF PCC RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Charities Act 2011 requires the PCC to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the PPC’s financial activities during the year, and its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing financial statements, the PCC seeks to:
- Follow best practice and guidance provided by the charity commissioners, Church of England, St Albans diocese and other sources
- Use suitable accounting policies consistently
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable
- State and apply applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice, and explain any areas of concern or deviation
- Prepare financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is appropriate to assume that the PCC will not continue its operations.
PCC members have overall responsibility for ensuring the PCC has appropriate systems of controls, financial and otherwise. They are also responsible for keeping proper records which disclose and explain with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the PCC and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the 2011 Act. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the PCC and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities and to ensure that:
- The PCC is operating effectively and efficiently
- Its assets are safeguarded against unauthorised use or disposition
- Proper records are maintained
- Financial information used within the PCC or for publication complies with relevant laws and regulations
As far as the PCC is aware, there are no relevant examination information (information needed by the PCC’s independent examiner (“Examiner”) in connection with preparing this report) of which the Examiner is unaware. Each member of the PCC has taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as members of the PCC in order to make themselves of any relevant examination information and to establish that the Examiner is aware of that information.
Page 27 of 29
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ST LUKE’S PAROCHIAL
## CHURCH COUNCIL
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Parochial Church Council (“PCC”) for the year ended 31 December 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the PCC’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the PCC has prepared accounts in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn.
I understand that this has been done in order for accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.
Since the PCC’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the PCC as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
- 2 the accounts do not accord with those records; or
- 3 the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## **Gary Howard FCA Howard Wilson Chartered Accountants 36 Crown Rise**
**Watford Hertfordshire WD25 0NE Date: 1[st] May 2026**
Page 28 of 29
_St Luke’s Church Watford – Annual Report and Financial Statements - 2025_
## ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
St Luke’s church is situated in Langley Way, Watford. It is part of the Diocese of St Albans within the Church of England. The correspondence address is Church Office, St Luke’s Church, Langley Way, Watford, WD17 3EG.
PCC members who have served at any time from 1 January 2025 until the date of this report are listed below. Where a member has served only part of that period, the relevant month of appointment or resignation is shown.
Please note that due to reduction in the Electoral Roll after Revision in 2024 ordinary members of the PCC were reduced from 15 to 12.
|||**Appointed**|**Resigned**|
|---|---|---|---|
|**Ex-officio**||||
|Revd Michael Norman|Vicar|||
|Dave Clarke|Reader|||
||representative|||
|Susan Miller|Churchwarden|||
|John Williamson|Churchwarden||April 2025|
|Terry Sullivan|Churchwarden|April 2025||
|**Elected**||||
|Adrian Booth|PCC|||
|Ann Macleod|Deanery Synod||April 2025|
|Colin Davies|PCC|||
|Dave Clarke|Deanery Synod|April 2025||
|Fiona Craigie|PCC|||
|Helen J Booth|PCC|||
|Margaret Forester|PCC|||
|Martin Kirk|PCC|||
|Mary Bowen|Deanery Synod|||
|Mave Clarke|Deanery Synod|||
|Melanie Sills|PCC|||
|Mo Fasanya|PCC||April 2025|
|Olufunsho Oladuji|PCC|||
|Pam Norman|PCC|April 2025||
|Pam Reynolds|PCC||April 2025|
|Phil Matthews|Deanery Synod|||
|Philip Meager|PCC|||
|Simon Trundle|PCC|||
|**Incumbent: **|Revd Michael Norman|||
|**Independent Examiner: **|Gary Howard FCA|||
||Howard Wilson Chartered Accountants|||
||36 Crown Rise|||
||Watford|||
||WD25 0NE|||
|**Bank: **|Barclays Bank plc|||
||High Street|||
||Watford|||
Page 29 of 29